Stupid question maybe but what is the preload on the front forks and how do you set it up correctly?

Cheers
DPW09 :D

Sir_Queuesalot

12-Mar-2009, 04:41 PM

Hi DPW,

I'll try and do a very basic explanation.
Preload is the amount you squish your fork spring (air or coil) before it does anything else.
It helps get the sag of the forks right and relies on the fact that it takes more energy to squish a spring 30mm than it does 15mm. So with no preload your forks would be quite squishy and bouncy when you sat on it, you also might take up more travel than you need to by merely sitting on the bike. Add some preload and you pre-tension the spring which firms things up and makes the fork ride a bit firmer, there's usually a knob that you turn to increase and decrease so you can tune the forks to your weight and the terrain you're on.